March 10, 2013

How Much Better

One way we might paralyze a child’s multiple intelligence strengths is by pushing
too hard, which I very nearly did to my daughter.Shortly
after Rachel turned five, I felt I “had to” begin doing formal homeschool
curriculum with her. It wasn’t required by the law, which didn’t mandate compulsory
“schooling” for any child under the age of six. I simply felt pressured to get
going with “real” academics – particularly learning to read – because that’s
what “everyone else” did.As a not-quite-recovered perfectionist who wanted to
“prove” the validity of home education and “keep up” with homeschool families I
admired, I never considered any other path. And
I don’t blame myself for trying; some kids are
developmentally ready for such endeavors at five or even earlier. However,
it soon became clear that Rachel wasn’t yet ready for phonics, and I should
have put away my fancy materials for a while instead of forcing her through the
lessons. She tried so hard to figure it out in order to please me even though
her brain simply needed more time to make the connection between letters and
sounds. To my shame, I often became visibly tense and regularly scolded her, as
if the struggle were a behavioral issue. I saw her wilt at my words every time
it happened, and I vowed never to berate her again. But the same thing happened
again and again as I continued to push.I
definitely wanted my child to learn to read. After all, the ability to read
well is the key to all other learning. But my pushing – because I feared what
“people” would think of me if Rachel couldn’t read Shakespeare by age seven –
came with a price. Rachel
is actually very word-smart and did eventually get past her struggles – but not
until she was nearly eight, when her brain was sufficiently ready to process
all that goes into decoding. And now she loves to read and is quite capable. In
addition, she possesses a rich vocabulary and, though spelling doesn’t come
naturally, she writes impressive compositions.However,
research shows that many pushed kids simply stop pursuing their strengths, and,
thus, their smarts become paralyzed. We can work to reverse such paralysis,
which happened with Rachel when I finally learned to back off and meet her real needs. But, though she was a very
easy-going and confident preschooler, she now wrestles with significant anxiety
about lots of things. And, since the shift in her temperament coincides with
when I tried to force her to learn to read before she was ready, I don’t doubt
a connection.I’m
grateful Rachel still trusts me and that her word-smart was not ultimately
paralyzed. I’m also glad I’m here to help correct the emotional damage I
caused. But how much better had I not pushed but had, instead, simply honored
the unique, individual developmental pace God gave her in terms of her
word-smart abilities? I’d have the same – or better – academic results we see
in her now without the regrets.

2 comments:

Alice
said...

Tina, this is such a great piece, so honest and important. I think most of us - for sure, me - can relate to doing similar pushing - I think all first children probably get some of that. Right now my struggle is to encourage Elena to be more outgoing, though I know her nature is introverted (just as mine always wasm and is). I hate when I push too hard in this area. I think it's mostly not wanting her to fall into some homeschool student stereotype.Blessings on your week!

I think a lot of people feel the need to "push" due to outside influences, as well.

When it comes down to it, it's Jesus we need to please, not others. We need to remember the verse, 2 Corinthians 10:12(KJV)"For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."

Also, Romans 12:2(KJV)says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

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